Are you a gym rat, a heavyweight champion, or just someone who’s always on the go? Well, congratulations—whether you know it or not, you’re more than ready for one of life’s greatest honors: being the proud parent of a big, beautiful, fluffy dog.
Yes, we’re talking about those majestic, double-coated giants who shed like it’s their full-time job and leave little tufts of fur floating through your home like confetti. But let’s be real—we love them anyway. Their soft, cloud-like coats, snuggle-ready personalities, and charmingly messy ways totally win us over.
Sure, they ask for a bit more in return—like brushing multiple times a week, investing in a serious vacuum, and finding fur in places you didn’t know fur could go. But it’s all worth it the moment you settle down with a hot cup of tea, open your favorite book, and one of these gentle giants curls up next to you (or tries to become your lapdog despite being 100 pounds of fluff).
In this post, we’re celebrating the large, fluffy dog breeds that bring warmth, joy, and a little extra fur into our lives. Ready to meet your furry soulmate?
Large Fluffy Dog Breeds: The Bane of Every Professional Groomer’s Existence
Here are some of the best dogs that are gentle giants with a beautiful coat. They make wonderful cuddle buddies and protective guadians, that decrease your cortisol and stress levels, reduce blood pressure by simply existing and can be good option for apartment dwellers. Thus, read on ahead to discover the gold of dogdom.
1. Leonberger
This majestic dog with a fluffy coat nearly got extinct during the World Wars, because their soft hearts couldn’t handle the violence. But, thankfully this fluffy friend still survives today. They work great as companion pets and are good search and rescue dogs.
Typically weighing around 137 pounds and with a life span of 8-10 years, the Leos are a large German dog breed that is known to be a working dog.
They have a long, beautiful coat that needs daily brushing to prevent excessive shedding and painful tangling. Leonbergers are a highly affectionate breed that loves to cuddle with their families.
Originally bred in Germany, they are a mix of some large dog breeds like the Saint Bernard, Great Pyrenees, and the Newfie. These furry pooches are a muscular dog breed that loves to put in a good day’s work. Hence, daily exercise and long walks are recommended to keep them happy.
2. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is another promising contender among the big dogs, because these guys are not just large, they are massive. Originally bred by the nomadic cultures in the isolated region of Tibet, the Tibetan Mastiff is an ancient breed with roots tracing back 1,000 years to the fierce dogs of the Central Asian Steppes.
It was developed to guard livestock and protect against predators like wolves, snow leopards, and in the Himalayan Ranges.
PDSA describes normally weighing around 70-150 pounds and with a life expectancy ranging from 12-15 years, this ancient working dog breed holds a rich cultural and historical significance.
In the Tibetan culture, this affectionate dog holds a respected and honourable status, some Tibetan people even believed this dog had supernatural powers and were often seen as sacred and holy beings.
They have thick fur and a double coat that provides them with insulation against the brutal cold climate. However, they can face overheating in warmer regions and climates because of this unique trait. The Tibetan mastiff needs regular grooming and brushing several times a week, and more frequently during shedding season.
3. Newfoundland
A Newfoundland is another strong contender among big, fluffy dog breeds. According to WebMD, originally bred by the Indigenous Beothuk and later by European settlers in Newfoundland, Canada, this big dog has a rich history. This breed was developed for assisting fishermen, aiding in water rescues, and hauling fishing nets and carts.
These dogs make wonderful companions and are a people-oriented dog breed. They are a big water dog breed with a great talent for swimming, making them perfect as a family pet, herding dog, and therapy dog.
If you remember the famous Disney classic Peter Pan, you would be surprised to know that Nana, a patient, loving, and loyal dog who acted as the nursemaid and caregiver for the Darling family’s kids, was a Newfie.
These dogs, which have an average life span of 8-10 years and can reach a weight of 99-150 pounds, are great for human companionship. This big, fluffy dog has a thick double coat, including soft and dense fur, which requires regular to weekly brushing at least three times a week.
4. Alaskan Malamute
Britannica reports that Hailing from the coldest regions of Alaska, the Alaskan Malamute got its name from the Malemiut, the Inupiaq Tribe of Alaska’s Norton Sound Region. These puffy dogs were bred by the Malimiut Inupiaq people for utilitarian, working, and hunting purposes. They belong to the spitz type of dog breeds that have a wolf-like build and appearance.
These sturdy dogs were bred for surviving extreme weather conditions and rough terrain. They are capable of hauling heavy freight, are muscular and strong, but also sweet. These arctic heroes were recently seen in the movie ‘The Call of the Wild’.
The Malamutes have a thick, coarse guard coat, and it is recommended to brush this furry pup at least twice a week, and increase the grooming to a daily brushing in the shedding season to prevent matting and for ideal coat health.
This not-so-huge but equally mighty pup weighs around 75-80 pounds and has a life expectancy of 10-14 years.
5. Great Pyrenees
The Great Pyrenees is truly a great, fluffy dog to own. This furry pooch with its thick double white coat is an extremely low-maintenance dog breed. That requires grooming every 3-4 months. This strong mountain dog is also a great cuddle buddy. Hence, if you choose to adopt a great pyrenees, you will gain more than what you seek.
According to the CKCUSA, this dog breed’s ancestors originated thousands of years ago in the mountains of Asia Minor, the area which includes modern-day Turkey. It is presumed that this herding and guarding dog breed evolved from a group of principally white mountain flock guard dogs that originated ten or eleven thousand years ago.
The ancestors of this beautiful white dog are said to have played a vital role in human survival. These livestock guardians helped shepherds guard sheep and keep valuable flocks safe.
This pooch, on average, weighs around 100-160 pounds and has a life span of 10-12 years belongs to the northwestern edge of the Pyrenean Mountains that fall between France and Spain. It protects the cattle from harmful predators and is renowned for its ability to guard flocks without human supervision.
6. Chow Chow
The AKC describes the Chow Chow as an Asian and Native Chinese dog breed that is popular for its thick coat, lion-like mane, flat face, and black-blue tongue. This working dog has a diverse history and was a royal favourite in China.
It is an attention-seeking heartthrob that has an eye-catching, fluffy look. This muscular and deep-chested hunk of an aristocrat is a dignified and focused dog breed.
It is known to have an aloof temperament and a protective nature. The Chows were popular even in the eighth century, when an emperor from the Tang dynasty owned a kennel facility that housed 5000 chow chows.
Its strong protective instincts and majestic presence have earned it a noble status. This 55-71 pound bear dog with a life span of 9-14 years is an incredibly loyal companion.
7. Old English Sheepdog
Do you remember the bouncy and happy dog ‘Max’ from The Little Mermaid? You would be surprised to know this adorable fluffy dog that was a prominent part in Princess Ariel and Prince Eric’s meet-cute was an old English sheepdog. You can recognize this breed from afar by its shaggy fur and cloud-like appearance.
This fluffball that weighs around 50-100 pounds and has a life expectancy of 10-12 years is an affectionate long-haired dog breed that needs at least 3-4 hours of brushing and grooming per week to take out dead hair and debris. Because an Old English sheepdog doesn’t shed seasonally.
It is a high-maintenance dog that looks like a real-life teddy bear, has a long coat that requires frequent brushing.
Proof:
This fluffy puff was first developed in the 1700s in the west of England in the counties of Devon, Somerset, and the Duchy of Cornwall. It was used as a drover dog for moving and herding cattle, but then it soon gained popularity as a show dog and is still famous in dog shows and championships.
Conclusion:
If you are looking to adopt some fluffy breeds that are incredibly devoted, need daily brushing and frequent grooming, and, unlike other dogs, have a playful nature and a plush coat. Then you can evaluate the options listed above or can find some other fluffy human companions like the popular Akita who has fox like appearance, rough collies, siberian huskies, golden retrievers, bernese mountain dogs, belgian sheepdogs or a german shepherd that are not only great options for herding sheep but also make good snuggle bugs and therapy dogs that calm you down with their presence.
